Washington Hospital's cancer program recently renewed its accreditation as a Community Cancer Program.

Each year, Washington Hospital serves as many as 500 to 550 new cancer patients and is continually looking for ways to improve patient care and expand local residents' access to cutting edge medical technology and services.Washington Hospital has brought a number of innovative and revolutionary advances to the community since the cancer program's inception. The opening of the Washington-Stanford Radiation Oncology Center in 1984, has been one of the essential steps Washington Hospital has taken to better care for local residents.To remain accredited as a Community Cancer Program, Washington must meet several mandates and guidelines.

According to Marianne Heltzel, Washington Hospital Tumor Registry Coordinator who serves on the hospital's Cancer Committee, statistics show that an estimated 80 percent of all cancer patients are treated in accredited programs, but that only 20 percent of cancer programs in the United States have received accreditation. By committing to serve as a Community Cancer Program, Washington helps ensure that district residents have access to quality care.

"Being a Community Cancer Program is not mandatory," Heltzel says. "It's something hospitals strive for."

Washington's cancer program has been in operation since the early 1990s, providing a wide range of services to the community, from support groups to cutting edge treatments.

Washington's program is reviewed every three years to maintain its status as a Community Cancer Program.Support groups:Prostate Cancer Survivors' Support Group

For more information about support groups available at Washington Hospital, see the biannual Health & Wellness catalog available for free at the hospital. To be placed on the catalog's mailing list, call (510) 791-3417.The catalog contains a list of free community education classes, support groups, services to the community, as well as a comprehensive list of medical services available at Washington Hospital.

To find out more about Washington Hospital's Community Cancer Program, visit www.whhs.com.